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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
The wait is finally over—after over two years, Robert Kirkman’s Amazon Studios adaptation of Invincible returns with its second season. I got to see Part I (the first half/ four episodes) of Season 2, and it is going to be an emotional time for fans of the cross-genre series. This new chapter in the protagonist’s (voiced by Steven Yeun) life teases what may be in store for the next two seasons. Indeed, it will be an incredible ride!
The second season premiere is titled, “A Lesson For Your Next Life”. It is written by series co-showrunner and executive producer Simon Racioppa (Mr. Meaty), and directed by storyboard artist Sol Choi (The Legend of Korra).
In this review, I will discuss Invincible Season 2 Episode 1. As the title of this article suggests, there will be no spoilers present here. References to previous series episodes and the graphic novel source material may be made!
Invincible Season 2 Episode 1 Logline
According to Amazon Studios Press, here is the logline for the Invincible Season 2 premiere—“A Lesson For Your Next Life”.
In the aftermath of his father’s betrayal, Mark struggles with his responsibilities as Invincible and encounters an unexpected enemy.
Amazon Studios
Discussion
“A Lesson For Your Next Life” is a clever title to begin the season. The episode is more of a suggestion that fans and viewers sit down and take a momentary breather to collect themselves after the chaotic events of the first season. Surely, anyone who remembers the tyrannical acts that Omni-Man (voiced by J.K. Simmons) wrought upon the earth will understand. From a narrative standpoint, the title also points to the fact that characters must ponder on the endless array of possibilities of what could be and what should be. Together, this second season’s first episode is about memory, trauma, and how these two psychological realms are dealt with.
The episode’s opening scene is a pretty good reminder that things could get worse than they already are. After all, this is the Invincible-verse. Not only that, but the detonated house remains across from the Grayson home are a remarkable plot device from the storytellers’ end, given that this is the result of an incident that never happened in the source material and solely towards the end of the premiere season.
The time gap between the first season finale and the second season premiere is not too long. I appreciate how it shows that time heals certain wounds rather slowly. Consequently, there are certain triggers for Markus Sebastian “Mark” Grayson (Yeun), even just the mere mention of Nolan Grayson’s (Simmons) apparent “passing”.
Structuring
Covering the second and third dozen batches of Invincible issues, the new season does an excellent job of covering so much ground. This first episode paces briskly, and it is only meant to settle back into the groove of things after the long hiatus. Fans and viewers may find this episode easier to digest compared to the next three episodes, which can be heavier to handle in terms of the appeal to pathos. Music supervisor Gabe Hilfer’s song selection adds to this digestion, especially with the track that plays while Invincible is out on his usually superheroic duties.
Perhaps it is Simon Racioppa’s screenwriting of the story that affects the pacing of the episode. Yet, it could also be that the storyboard artists and revisionists do a good number on how scenes are played out. The few action sequences that we do see in the premiere episode can come off as plot points to establish the act structure—presenting one conflict, what that causes, and then what conflicts and narrative beats stem from there. Many of the narrative beats feel like I’m watching bits and pieces of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2. However, this is all for good reasons, such as Mark Grayson teetering on whether he needs to fill his father’s shoes, which was explained previously.
Ultimately, what I enjoy about these connective tissues is how they peek into different wounds to put on display for re-evaluation. In one example, Rudolph “Rudy” Connors (voiced by Ross Marquand) still requires adjusting to human life and humanity after copy-and-pasting his mind from the Robot Life Pod (voiced by Zachary Quinto) to a living body. This is something that can directly or indirectly impact the fabric of the Guardians of the Globe team, as well as their dynamics with people outside the group.
Formatting
One new element to the season that fans will find uncanny is the change in the Invincible series title cards. The premiere episode’s title card is not set up as great as those in the episodes that follow. Although, that is due to the fact that it is treated with light humor so as to balance with the heaviness of emotion. When we do get to that title card, it appears to redefine what the series means for its characters and the lives they live.
The Crew Behind Invincible
Invincible is based on the comic book of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, & Ryan Ottley. Kirkman also serves as a co-showrunner alongside Racioppa. Walker serves as a co-executive producer.
Dan Duncan is the supervising director of the series.
Luke Asa Guidici is the supervising editor. Lea Carosella and Liam Johnson are the assistant editors.
John Paesano scores the music. Gabe Hilfer (Venom, Birds of Prey, Ozark, Halloween Ends, The White Lotus, Renfield, White Men Can’t Jump) does the music supervision. Brad Meyer is the supervising sound editor. Meyer, Katie Jackson, Natalia Saavedra Brychcy (Knock at the Cabin), and Mia Perfetti are the sound FX editors.
Meredith Layne (Castlevania, A Tale Dark & Grimm) is the voice director. Linda Lamontagne (BoJack Horseman, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Close Enough) is the voice casting director.
Animation Team
Shaun O’Neil serves as the art director. Kofi Fiagome serves as the animation/ storyboard supervisor. Invincible comic book artist Ryan Ottley serves as the creative consultant.
Luke Ashworth, Nate Bellegarde, Nick Lombardo, Tim Nicklas, Johnathan N. Reyes, and Alex Wilson are the character designers.
Jon Christopher Finch, Kelly Mai, and Yoshi Vu are the background designers.
Adrian Barrios, Sol Choi, Karl Savage, and Christopher Staggs are the storyboard artists. Vickie Chau, Dan Quiles, Kaitrin Snodgrass (Ben 10, Little Demon), and Suzi Whifler are the storyboard revisionists.
Lindsey Meyers is the animatic editor, while Samantha Schnauder is the visual effects editor.
The Voice Cast Behind Invincible
Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Sorry to Bother You, Minari, Nope) voices the series’ protagonist and titular character, Markus Sebastian “Mark” Grayson, also known as Invincible. Sandra Oh voices Deborah “Debbie” Grayson, Mark’s mother.
J.K. Simmons (the Spider-Man franchise, Whiplash, Palm Springs) voices Nolan Grayson—Mark’s father and Debbie’s husband—, also known as Omni-Man.
Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2, Atlanta) voices Amber, Mark’s girlfriend. Gillian Jacobs (Community, Minx, The Bear) voices Samantha Eve Wilkins, also known as Atom Eve.
Sterling K. Brown (Black Panther) voices Angstrom Levy and Angstrom #646.
Grey DeLisle (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai) voices Olga, Monster Girl, and Shrinking Rae. Melise (Unfabulous) voices Dupli-Kate and a Global Defense Agency (GDA) agent. Jason Mantzoukas (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Big Mouth, Close Enough) voices Rex Splode.
Ross Marquand (Avengers: Infinity War, Robot Chicken, The Walking Dead) voices The Immortal and Rudolph “Rudy” Connors. Zachary Quinto (Heroes, Big Mouth, American Horror Story) voices Robot and a Robot Life Pod.
Khary Payton (Teen Titans, Young Justice, The Walking Dead) voices Black Samson. Jay Pharoah voices Bulletproof, a new member of the Guardians of the Globe.
Chris Diamantopoulos (Silicon Valley, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Made for Love Season 2) voices Pete, Donald, and Todd. Walton Goggins voices Cecil.
Kevin Michael Richardson (Family Guy, Young Justice, M.O.D.O.K.) voices the main Mauler Twins, random Maulers, and a monster. Fred Tatasciore voices a giant with an 8-year-old mind.
Gary Anthony Williams (The Boondocks, Star Wars Resistance, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur) voices a news reporter.
Additional voice performances come from Nyima Funk, Robert Kesselman, Dan Navarro (The Cleveland Show, The Boys Presents: Diabolical), and Ami Shukla.
Voice Performances and Character Developments
Mark Grayson’s development is a highlight of the episode, with internal conflicts about living up to the Viltrumite legacy presented to him by his father. Racioppa and the writers do wonderfully at adapting this story arc to the screen. What is important to note here is the protagonist’s oscillation between taking accountability for the sins of his father or brooding over the losses put onto him because of them. It is indisputably difficult to move forward. For someone like Invincible, it can be hard to determine when this liminal phase ends.
Sandra Oh is an actor—and in this case, a voice actor—who deserves her roses as one of the show’s major talent. As Debbie Grayson, she, too, has to cope with the events that transpired. This includes responding to her husband having had referred to her as a “pet”. As a result, Oh does fine vocal delivery when portraying the more painful pathos between mother and son. I would think that Debbie would resort to alcoholism like the comic book version of the character. However, what the writers have in store for her feels much worse, subjectively speaking.
Sterling K. Brown is a charismatic addition to the voice cast. Having seen him in Black Panther over half a decade ago, he does a tragically striking job at portraying a human character from a troubling collection of environments. Angstrom Levy is introduced as a pacifist, and it is intriguing to see him channel a potent form of pain that is not quite akin to the Graysons’. In fact, this seems to be where trauma plays a key role in the presence (or lack thereof) of memory, similar to Otto Octavius/ Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2.
Final Thoughts on Invincible Season 2 Episode 1
Like poetry, Invincible has its highrises and downfalls to emphasize the journey of human life. “A Lesson For Your Next Life” is a necessary domino in the series as it pauses matters to allow for a much-needed reality check. That is an appreciative quality to have during this transitional period. The timing couldn’t be better, what with the current socio-political state of the world. As true heroes of the planet, it is important to examine our actions both as individuals and as collectives and decide if these are the legacies we would want to leave behind. In other words, should we live long enough to be the Omni-Man of the narrative, or can we become… Invincible?
Invincible Season 2 premieres this Friday, November 3rd, on Prime Video!
Have you seen the series yet? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more action, adaptation, adventure, animation, comic book, drama, fantasy, and science-fiction, and thriller-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
